Though beginning as a cliché, culture clashing “Bullworth” rip-off, “Head of State” finishes leaving viewers with a few laughs, a longing for more Bernie Mac and a keener focus on what political objectives should be.
Chris Rock makes his screenwriting and directorial debut working within the constraints of a PG-13 rating, leaving behind the language used in HBO’s “Bring the Pain” and “The Chris Rock Show.” Taking into account this sacrifice, “Head of State” introduces Rock’s growing potential as a filmmaker.
Rock plays Mays Gilliam, a lowly Washington, D.C., alderman, but a hero in his precinct. Early in the film, things go awry for Gilliam when he loses his girl, his job and his car. However, opportunity knocks as he is lured into filling the recently vacated Democratic presidential nomination. The party’s intentions are for Gilliam to lose, polishing the seat for a 2008 candidate to win.
In his first meet and greet, Gilliam assumes the turntables at a fund-raising event, and all of the rich, uptight white folk begin their fidgeting spastic dances. As cliché as this scene is, it guarantees laughs and functions as a mandatory move.
Touring the nation, Gilliam gives the same speech and doesn’t think much of it. Enter Gilliam’s brother Mitch, played by Bernie Mac, who simultaneously saves Gilliam’s campaign and Rock’s project. Mitch helps Gilliam realize this is his campaign, and he should run it based on his own personality.
Gilliam inevitably begins saying whatever he feels, attacking everything from drug policy to the drinking age. He begins to win over a majority of the country using what won him his entire community in D.C. — an active, grassroots attitude.
Gilliam makes Mitch his running mate, and things get hilarious. Gilliam and Mitch begin running a campaign so absurdly unrealistic it just might win.
When news of Gilliam’s chances breaks, Rock cuts to the funniest scene in the movie. Upon hearing the possiblity of the first black president, an enormous block representing the entire nation of suburbia lets out a sea of white people, flooding the streets on their way to vote for Gilliam’s opponent, who is running under the campaign slogan, “It’s your last chance.”
Though “Head of State” isn’t the most innovative comedy, it’s simply a fun movie. It’s a kick back, relax and laugh flick that won’t get old too fast, thanks to Bernie Mac’s smoothly quick, intimidating comedy and Rock’s acute sense of contemporary race relations.